Optimum time to Open Borders for Trade?

[Uncle E]

Aloha all!

I did a quick search and didn't find a reply that answered this question. I remember reading a post that talked about not opening borders too early because the AI would somehow still get the commerce bonus while your cities would not.

I'm guessing that would be because of the distance between cities & lack of connections?

My question is: when would be the optimal time to open borders with one or more civ's? (with commerce as the main focus)

- Does opening multiple open border agreements matter commerce-wise when we only can have one trade route? I know later on it makes a difference when trade civics and wonders kick in.

- I'd hate to give the AI any commerce (and thus research/gold) bonuses before I can get the same back. Would there be a suggested tech path / beeline to take for the emphasis on trade routes / commerce / related wonders?

Mahalo (thanks) in advance

 

[DaveMcW]

When you see a trade route icon traderoute next to their name.

The commerce bonus goes both ways, so it's almost always beneficial to use it. Even if all your trade routes are foreign, adding another trade partner will upgrade the worst routes to their best routes.

 

[XxtraLarGe]

Open borders can be a really tricky proposition. The way I play is I typically will build my first few cities in order to block off another civilization from expanding around me. I usually don't have open borders until I've filled in the gaps behind me, so some other civ doesn't come along and make a city or two behind my capital.

 

[JimT]

Open borders can be a really tricky proposition. The way I play is I typically will build my first few cities in order to block off another civilization from expanding around me. I usually don't have open borders until I've filled in the gaps behind me, so some other civ doesn't come along and make a city or two behind my capital.

I don't worry about this as
i) you have the best sites already
ii) cultural pressure means any AI city will be easily taken so you have an easy capture later without the extra maintenance of a city now.

Anyway
I like to have open borders early so I can meet more civs, explore (helps find out what resources everyone has) and plan my attack route.

JT

 

[Polycrates]

I like to open borders early. Lets you see your targets, gives a bit of money, and maybe a bit of religion. Plus it gives a nice diplomatic bonus, which is, in my opinion, the biggest benefit of open borders in the early game. Especially because otherwise even just one "you declared war on our friend!" penalty can push you into annoyed territory and make them refuse to open them later without extensive bribery.

 

[uncarved block]

The commerce angle never even crosses my mind, because I'm so interested in gathering information about the neighbors. Early OBs can show you what the AI is doing after 50 turns, or 100, or 150-- useful when someone won't open up (cough *Toku* cough) and you're trying to gauge what an invasion force might meet.

That's more than worth a couple Gold a turn, IMHO.

 

[DaviddesJ]

The only reason to deny open borders early is if you need to block the AI from settling a particular area.

The biggest benefit of open borders is starting to accumulate the diplomatic bonus. Trade is a secondary benefit.

Worrying about the trade benefit to the AIs makes no sense. So you give one of your opponents a couple gpt. Big deal. They have way more advantages over you, than that.

 

[Uncle E]

Thanks for the opinions - I realize now how important diplomacy bonuses can be, especially on higher difficulty levels.

I'm still curious to hear from trade / commerce based players as for strategies and opinions on open borders and trade / commerce development strategies.

 

[Shibbyman]

I'm not sure whether it was just coincidental or not, but, this one time, when I signed an open border agreement I noticed my gpt went down slightly. Has anyone seen this before?

 

[JimT]

I'm not sure whether it was just coincidental or not, but, this one time, when I signed an open border agreement I noticed my gpt went down slightly. Has anyone seen this before?

Conincidental I believe